Container sealing system

ABSTRACT

A cap for a container (e.g., container fitment) includes a neck portion and a lip portion that extends laterally outward from the neck portion. A gasket is provided between the cap and a rim of a container fitment. The neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape, and an interior surface of a container port or fitment may be correspondingly tapered, to guide the cap into concentric alignment with the gasket and rim during insertion of the neck portion of the cap into the fitment. Such alignment promotes positive sealing engagement between the cap, gasket, and fitment. In one embodiment, the cap defines an externally accessible recess that optionally includes a handle, such as at least one segmenting wall, for grasping by a user to facilitate manipulation of the cap. The cap may be affixed to a fitment of a flexible liner.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/318,871 filed on Mar. 30, 2010, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein, for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers (including flexible bags andliners) for mixing of various solids, liquids, and gases andcombinations thereof, and systems and methods for sealing suchcontainers.

BACKGROUND

Various fields require use of containers for holding and processingsubstances. Mixing of components, such as different types of solids,liquids and/or gases, has numerous applications in different industries.For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, different types of drugsare mixed together. In the medical field, body fluids (such as blood)and/or drug components may be mixed. In the semiconductor field, wetsolutions are combined with abrasives to make slurries and otherprocessing fluids. The food industry also incorporates mixing operationsinto a number of applications, including mixing of water with dehydratedfood for rehydration thereof.

Traditionally, mixing devices for industrial use have utilized glasstanks for processing small volumes of components, and a stainless steeltanks for larger volumes. Screws or impellers may be used to agitate andmaintain powders within suspension, and to homogenize multiphasesolutions. Prior to use, traditional mixing tanks must be washed andsterilized—such as employing an autoclave to wash and sterilize a smallvolume tank, or a water- and steam-based operation to wash and sterilizea larger volume tank. These wash, sterilize, and process operations,which are essential to the specified technologies, are typicallytime-consuming and expensive, and require highly qualified individualsfor their performance. Further, periodic maintenance of mixing devicesassociated with the various technologies must be performed to ensureproper operation. In certain cases, washing/sterilizing operations aswell as the maintenance of these mixing devices may represent more thana third of the total cost of operating and maintaining such mixingdevices, which may be prohibitively expensive for given applications.

More recently, disposable containers (such as processing bags) have beendeveloped to enable processing of substances without need for washingand sterilizing steps. For example, in biological processing, there isan ever-increasing need for disposable products, such as storage bags,which can range in size from ten to more than 3,000 liters. Current usesinclude storage of products or components awaiting further processingsteps such as purification. Often, however, stored products orcomponents (e.g., emulsions and suspensions) may undesirably separateinto phases or components.

Various methods have been developed to maintain contents of disposablecontainers (e.g., processing bags) in mixed condition. For small volumesand/or low viscosity fluids, a magnetic stir bar or magneticallyactuated stirring element may be used. For larger volumes and/or higherviscosity fluids, a mixing element may be operatively coupled with amechanical driver and arranged to travel within an interior of thecontainer.

Examples of disposable fluid processing containers and portions thereofare disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0323466entitled “SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR MIXING SUBSTANCES AND METHODS OFMAKING SAME” (and commonly assigned to the same assignee as the presentapplication), and still further examples are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fluid processing (e.g., mixing) container 10 thatis cylindrical in shape may include a side wall 10, a bottom wall 12,and a top wall 14. Such walls may be formed of flexible polymeric filmmaterial. A sleeve 20 may be fabricated from two flexible sheets 16A,16B of polymeric film materials, and sealed along edges thereof (e.g.,by ultrasonic welding along edges including a bottom edge 17) around amixing paddle 25 and associated shaft 24, with an interior 18 of thesleeve 20 being isolated from the interior volume of the container 10 bythe sealed sheets 16A, 16B. The two sheets 16A, 16B are affixed to thetop wall 14 of the mixing container 10 proximate to a coupling guide 15.The coupling guide 15, which is typically more rigid than the mixingcontainer 10, enables coupling of the shaft 24 to a mechanism (notshown) external to the container 10 for causing the shaft 24 and paddle25 to move within the interior volume of the container 10. Preferably,the shaft 24 is moved within the container 10 in a closed path parallelto the bottom wall 12, but without continuous rotation of the shaft 24about its own axis, in order to prevent twisting and potential failureof the sleeve 20. Further disposed along the top wall 14 of thecontainer 10 is a fitment 30 with an associated removable cover 45, anda secondary port 8, such as may be useful for material addition,extraction, or testing. The fitment 30 is typically more rigid than thewalls 10, 12, 14 of the disposable (e.g., flexible) container, toprovide suitable sealing capability.

Another disposable processing container is shown in FIG. 2A. Therectangular shaped container 50 includes side walls 51, a bottom wall52, and a top wall 54. A coupling guide 55 affixed to the top wall 54provides an external interface for a mixing element within the container10. Ports 48, 49 are disposed along the top wall 54 and a side wall 51,respectively. A fitment 80 is arranged along the top wall 54, with agasket 90 disposed along a top surface of the fitment 80 to promotesealing with a removable cover (i.e., cover 95 as illustrated in FIG.2C). The cover 95 is used to container material within the container 50and prevent ingress of unwanted particulates. FIG. 2B is across-sectional view of the fitment 80 and gasket 90. The fitment 80includes a laterally-extending flange portion 81, a cylindrical section84, and a rim 82 defining a depression or groove 83 for receiving adownwardly protruding portion 91 along a lower surface of the gasket 90.The gasket 90 also includes an upwardly protruding portion 92 for matingwith a corresponding depression or groove 96 defined in a lower surfaceof the cover 95, as shown in FIG. 2C. To maintain compressive engagementbetween the cover 95, the gasket 90, and the fitment 80, a closureretention element (e.g., clamping assembly) 99 is typically fittedaround the cover 95, gasket 90, and fitment 80.

Other conventional systems utilized to seal the openings in containersinclude snap-fitted caps (optionally in combination with gaskets), andscrew caps (optionally including flexible seals).

Conventional sealing approaches are limited in their capability topromote ease of handling in combination with reliable sealing.Inadequate sealing of container openings can result from caps that aremisaligned, screw caps with threads that become stripped ormisconnected, and misalignment of caps with clamps and/or gaskets tocontainers. Such problems are exacerbated with flexible containers(e.g., bags or liners) that provide little or no support to counteractthe forces incident to application of a cap to a container or clampingof the cap a container or fitment thereof.

A fitment is typically located at the top of a flexible container, andsuch container may be partially filled with material, thus leaving thefitment and mating parts unsupported and not horizontally level (since apartially filled non-rigid liner or bag will conform to an underlyingsurface). With a conventional sealing apparatus, a user may need tosupport a fitment with one hand while attempting to apply the sealingapparatus with one other hand. A user may need to align a gasket andcover while attaching and tightening a clamp. Another factor than caninfluence alignment of the parts and integrity of a resulting seal isdiffering dimensional tolerances of the part feature and relatedmanufacturing variations. Although a flexible gasket will adopt subtledeformations, protrusions of the gasket may not always properly align tocorresponding depressions or grooves in the fitment and cover, such thatthe gasket may be forced into an improper position whereby the desiredseal is not created. Referring to FIG. 2D, misalignment between a gasket90A and a fitment 80A can lead to formation of a gap G that inhibitsestablishment of a proper seal. Such alignment mismatch, together withthe inherent difficulty of supporting and manipulating multiple parts toaccomplish the desired seal, can cause significant user frustration. Thesealing process is even more burdensome in a cleanroom environment,since it is common practice for users in such environment to wearmultiple layers of elastic gloves. Additionally, since the cap and/orthe fitment may be formed of rigid polymers having a different rigiditythan the soft (e.g., elastomeric) gasket, it may not always be apparentwhen the gasket is misaligned.

In many of the aforementioned applications, liquid-based compositionsand process liquids may be exceedingly expensive or difficult toproduce, and loss or contamination of fluid may require shutdown of amanufacturing process or manufacturing delays. There is a correspondingneed in the art to provide containers adapted to retain afluid-containing substance with caps or enclosure mechanisms thatminimize contamination and loss of substances subject to storage incontainers, including disposable containers such as bags and liners.

In particular, there is a need in the art to resolve cap and gasketmisalignment when securing a cap to the opening or to a fitment of acontainer. Additionally, there is a need in the art for a sealing systemthat is easy to apply and remove, especially with a focus on non-rigidliners and bags where it is often difficult to apply a clamp (e.g.,optionally including a tightening toggle) around a cap and fitment dueto the lack of support conferred by a liner.

Moreover, a conventional flat cap arranged to close one end of acontainer fitment leaves a void or empty space within the interior ofthe fitment. When the container is filled with liquid contents up to thebase of the fitment, the remaining void or empty space within thefitment provides a stagnant or dead volume proximate to the liquidcontents. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a container 750 having a sidewall 751, bottom wall 752, and top wall 754 including a fitment 760 witha fitment wall 784 and a rim 782. A flat cap 795 and a gasket 790 arearranged over the rim 782. The container 750 contains liquid 758therein. A void 761 is provided within the interior of the fitment 760below the cap 795. It would be desirable to minimize such stagnant ordead volumes in many contexts, so as to minimize pockets of trapped gasand to eliminate sloshing zones susceptible to receiving splashes ofliquid as the liquid contents undergo processing operations and/or thecontainer is transported.

In consequence, the art continues to seek improvements in the sealingapparatuses for container openings to avoid contamination and leakage.It would also be a significant advance in the art, in applications inwhich high purity fluid-containing substances are consumed, to promotereliable and easy-to-use sealing mechanisms

SUMMARY

The present invention relates in various aspects to caps for securingone or more openings in a container adapted to retain a fluid-containingsubstance, and containers and sealing apparatuses incorporating same.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a cap adapted to secure a gasketalong an opening in a container (e.g., a container fitment), wherein atleast part of a neck portion of the cap is of a conical or frustoconicalshape to guide the cap into the opening, and the cap includes a gasketengaging member that cooperates with a corresponding engagement memberof a gasket for secure placement of the gasket between the cap and thecontainer opening.

In another aspect, the invention relates to container comprising: aflexible material bounding an interior volume; a fitment affixed to theflexible material and defining a passage bounded by a fitment wallextending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, the fitmentcomprising a rim adjacent to the proximal opening; a cap arranged forinsertion into the tapered portion of the fitment wall, the capcomprising a neck portion and a lip portion that extends laterallyoutward relative to the neck portion, wherein at least part of the neckportion is conical or frustoconical in shape; and a gasket arranged forplacement between the lip portion and the rim.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a container sealingapparatus arranged for sealing a container fitment including a proximalopening and a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, the containersealing apparatus comprising: a cap including a neck portion and a lipportion, wherein the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shapeand is adapted for insertion into the proximal opening of the containerfitment, wherein the lip portion extends laterally outward relative tothe neck portion; a gasket arranged for placement between the lipportion and the rim; and a closure retention element arranged to contactthe lip portion of the cap and the rim of the container fitment with thegasket sealingly engaged therebetween.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a container sealingapparatus comprising: a cap including a neck portion, a lip portion, andat least one gasket securing feature, wherein the neck portion isconical or frustoconical in shape and is adapted for positioning withina threadless opening of a container, wherein the lip portion extendslaterally outward relative to the neck portion and is adapted to inhibitthe cap from traversing the opening of the container, and a gasketarranged for securement by the at least one gasket securing feature toseal the opening of said container.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for delivery ofa fluid-containing substance, the apparatus comprising: a flexible linerdisposed within an overpack container defining an interstitial spacebetween the liner and overpack container; and a fitment affixed to theliner, wherein the fitment defines a passage bounded by a wall extendingbetween a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the fitmentfurther comprises a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, and whereinsaid wall is tapered inward in a direction from the proximal openingtoward the distal opening.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a container comprising: afitment secured to a liner and arranged to receive a cap, wherein thefitment defines a passage bounded by an internally threadless fitmentwall extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, thefitment further comprising a rim adjacent to the proximal opening,wherein at least a portion of the fitment wall is tapered inward nearthe proximal opening; a cap adapted to be guided by the tapered wall ofthe fitment for positioning the cap to be received by the fitment,wherein the cap comprises a threadless neck portion and a lip portionthat extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, wherein atleast part of the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape; anda gasket arranged for placement in between the lip portion and the rim.

In a still further aspect, any features of the foregoing aspects may becombined for additional advantage.

Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention will be morefully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention may be best understood by referring to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate suchembodiments. In general within the drawings, like numbers are intendedto refer to like elements or structures. Reference numbers are the samefor those elements that are the same across different Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical fluid processing containerincluding a top-mounted coupling guide for a mixing paddle arranged in asealed sleeve, and including a top-mounted fitment with a removablecover.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a rectangular fluid processingcontainer including a top-mounted coupling guide for a mixing element,and including a top-mounted fitment with a gasket.

FIG. 2B is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the fitmentand gasket of the fluid processing container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fitment and gasketof FIG. 2B, with the gasket sandwiched between the fitment and a cover,and with a clamping assembly fitted around the fitment, gasket, andcover.

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fitment and gasket,with the gasket not properly seated against a rim portion of thefitment.

FIG. 3A is a perspective assembly view of a sealing assembly including afitment, a gasket, and a cap according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealingassembly of FIG. 3A with the gasket sandwiched between the cap and thefitment, and with illustration of a user's fingers arranged to grasp aportion of the cap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cap illustrated in the assembly ofFIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cap of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cap of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cap of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective assembly view of a cap, gasket, and fitmentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional assembly view of a cap, gasket, andfitment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a rectangular fluid processingcontainer including a top-mounted fitment with a gasket and aconventional cap.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a rectangular fluid processingcontainer including a top-mounted fitment with a gasket and a capaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosures of the following patents and patent applications arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties:U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,494 entitled “FLEXIBLE MIXING BAG FOR MIXING SOLIDS,LIQUIDS, AND GASES;” U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2010/0015696 entitled “DISPOSABLE BIOREACTOR;” U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2009/0323466 entitled “SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR MIXINGSUBSTANCES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME;” U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2003/0004608 entitled “LIQUID HANDLING SYSTEM WITHELECTRONIC INFORMATION STORAGE;” and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/294,928 entitled “SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID COLLAPSIBLE LINER ANDGUSSETED OR NON-GUSSETED WELD LINER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THESAME.”

The present invention relates in various aspects to caps, sealingmechanisms and containers adapted to retain liquids andliquid-containing substance, and systems incorporating same. Tapered(e.g., frustoconical) shapes may be utilized for fitment and/or capportions to guide insertion of a cap into a fitment, in order to preventmisalignment of gasket alignment or sealing features.

Various embodiments of the present invention involve use of disposableand collapsible containers for retaining fluids and fluid-containingsubstances within an internal volume, such as a flexible fluidprocessing bag or liner.

A collapsible container may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible lineror bag, such as a thin film material. A collapsible container may beformed by techniques such as blow-molding or peripheral attachment ofthin films. The term “collapsible” refers to a material that may befolded or compressed into a more compact shape. The term “flexible”refers to a material that is sufficiently supple or pliable to berepeatedly bent or flexed without breaking. A collapsible or flexiblematerial may be elastic in character, with the term “elastic” referringto the property of a material where upon removal of an extending force,the material is capable of substantially recovering its original sizeand shape and/or exhibits a significant retractive force. A rigid orsemi-rigid overpack or housing arranged to contain a collapsible linermay for example be formed of a high-density polyethylene or otherpolymer or metal, and the liner may be provided as a pre-cleaned,sterile collapsible bag of a single layer or multi-layer laminated filmmaterials, including polymeric materials such as polyolefins,fluorinated polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), low-densitypolyethylene, PTFE-based multilaminates, polyamide, polyester,polyurethane, or the like, selected to be inert to the contained liquidor liquid-based material to be contained in the liner. While polymericfilms are preferred materials for certain embodiments, exemplarymaterials of construction of a liner further include: metallized films,foils, polymers/copolymers, laminates, extrusions, co-extrusions, andblown and cast films. A liner or bag may comprise multiple materialsthat are laminated along faces thereof or joined along edges thereof, byconventional techniques such as thermal bonding, ultrasonic welding, hotplate welding, and the like. Rigid collapsible liners, and gusseted ornon-gusseted weld liners, such as disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/294,928 filed on Jan. 14, 2010 (which is herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein), which haverecently been developed and are known to Applicant, may also be used.

In certain embodiments, a fluid processing bag or liner may beconstructed and arranged to cooperate with a support frame, wherein oneor more hooks are utilized to support the liner. A bag or liner may besupported by a support frame with one or more hooks or support members(gussets, rings, and the like) being provided to secure the bag orliner.

Collapsible containers such as fluid processing bags and liner may alsoclear or substantially optically transparent to permit viewing ofcontents therein. In addition, both containers and liners may be adaptedto accommodate sterilization procedures to eliminate or neutralizecontaminants.

In certain embodiments, a sealable volume between a fluid processing bagor liner, and a housing or overpack, may be pressurized to discharge thecontents of the processing bag or liner to a desired point of use. Suchpoint of use may include a process tool and/or any of various flowdirecting elements.

A collapsible container such as a fluid processing bag or lineraccording to one embodiment may define a compressible volume therein andis preferably adapted for selective material discharge therefrom. Suchvolume may be bounded or defined by at least one of a bag, a bladder, abellows, a collapsible liner, a flexible container wall, and a movablecontainer wall to permit compression or full collapse of thecompressible volume. A container may include a collapsible liner orother substantially non-rigid element defining the compressible volumeand disposed within a housing or overpack that may be generally rigid,or at least substantially more rigid than the liner.

In one embodiment, a liner may be semi-rigid and collapsible incharacter, but at least partially self-supporting.

In one embodiment, a liner may be arranged for use with a mixingelement, such as a mixing paddle, agitator, impeller, magnetic stirbar,or the like. In one embodiment, a liner may include a sealed sleevearranged to receive a mixing paddle arranged to travel within theinterior volume of the liner to mix the contents therein, with thesleeve serving as a barrier between the mixing paddle and the contentsof the interior volume of the liner.

Embodiments as disclosed can be utilized in various applications, forstorage and transport of any liquids, fluid-containing substances,chemicals, or compositions within a container (e.g., a collapsiblecontainer such as a processing bag or liner).

In one embodiment, a cap for a container includes a neck portion, ofwhich at least a part is conical or frustoconical in shape to help alignthe cap during insertion into an opening of a container to seal theopening. The term “container” in this context includes a processing bagor a liner. In one embodiment, a fitment (or other container accessport) includes an inner wall of which at least a portion is taperedinward, from a larger dimension near a proximal opening (i.e., arrangedcloser to an outer edge of a fitment) to a smaller dimension near adistal opening (i.e., arranged farther from an outer edge of a fitment,and closer to the interior of a liner or container to which the fitmentis mounted) to guide the cap during insertion of the neck portionthereof into the fitment or other container access port. In oneembodiment, at least a portion of the inner wall of the fitment near theproximal opening is tapered inward at a similar or substantially equalangle as that of the conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion of acap adapted to be received by the fitment. The cap may include a lipportion that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, andhave an associated gasket arranged for compression against the lipportion (and against a rim of the fitment) when the cap is received bythe fitment. At least a portion of the lip of the cap is greater inwidth (e.g., diameter), than a proximal opening of the fitment openingdefined by the inner edge of the rim of the container or fitment.

A cap as described herein is preferably more rigid than an associatedgasket. A cap may be manufactured from polymeric, fiber-reinforced,and/or composite materials by conventional techniques such as molding.

In one embodiment, a cap having a lip is arranged to secure a gasketbetween the lip and a rim of the fitment, wherein at least one of thelip and the rim includes at least one engaging member (or securingfeature) for securing the gasket. The conical or frustoconical form ofat least part of the neck of the cap helps to align a gasket duringinsertion of the cap into a fitment or other container port. The conicalor frustoconical neck portion of the cap also helps continue thisalignment while the user is securing the cap to the fitment or containerport. With the neck of the cap closely matching a tapered shape of theinner wall of the fitment, the cap, gasket and fitment are preventedfrom moving out of a concentric alignment when being secured together.This permits a user to support a fitment with one hand, and utilize theother hand to depress the cap against the gasket and into the fitment,while concentric alignment between the fitment, gasket, and cap aremaintained.

In one embodiment, the gasket does not extend beyond the outer diameterof the lip of the cap or beyond the outer diameter of the rim of thefitment or container when the gasket is sandwiched between the lip andthe rim. In one embodiment, the gasket does not extend inside an innerdiameter of the lip of the cap into the space occupied by the neck ofthe cap, or inside an inner diameter of the rim of the fitment (orcontainer port) into the proximal opening of the fitment or port.

In certain embodiments, a cap defines a recess arranged to facilitatemanipulation of the cap by a user, and the recess is externallyaccessible when the cap is mated with the container (i.e., at a fitmentor container port). The recess may extend from a top surface of the cap,and into the neck portion thereof, with the container neck materialmaintaining a barrier between the recess and contents of the containerwhen the cap is inserted into a container fitment. Such a recess permitsone or more fingers of a user to be inserted into the recess forsecurement or removal of the cap. Such a recess may additionally oralternatively afford room for one or more walls or handles to be addedto provide a gripping surface. One or more segmenting walls or handlesmay be used as a means for easily managing a cap when inserting orremoving same from a container or fitment assembly. In one embodiment, aportion of a handle or segmenting wall may extend upward from the capopposite the neck. One or more segmenting walls may be arranged todivide the recess into a plurality of segments. Such segmenting wall(s)may extend inward from lateral walls of the cap bounding the recess,and/or may extend upward from a bottom wall of the recess. In oneembodiment, one or more segmenting walls may separate the recess intotwo, three, four, or more recess segments each arranged to receive atleast one finger or a user. In one embodiment, a recess defined in a capmay be devoid of any handle or segmenting wall, to allow a user toinsert one or more fingers into the recess for manipulation of a cap bycontact with the bottom and/or side walls of the recess.

In one embodiment, a container cap includes a neck portion that isconical or frustoconical in shape, a lip portion of the cap and a rim ofthe fitment are devoid of gasket retaining features, and an annulargasket having flat top and bottom surfaces is disposed between the lipand the rim. The neck portion of the cap is inserted through an aperturedefined by the gasket and into a proximal opening of the fitment. Theouter diameter of the upper end of the neck portion (i.e., below the lipportion) is preferably close in dimension to the inner diameter of theproximal opening of the fitment, to promote axial alignment between thecap, the gasket, and the fitment as the neck portion of the cap isinserted into the fitment.

In one embodiment, the height of the cap from a distal end to the bottomof the lip is similar to the height of a fitment, and is preferablysubstantially equal to the combined height of the fitment and associatedgasket, so that upon insertion of the neck portion cap into the fitment,the inserted portion of the cap occupies the majority of the internalvolume of the fitment. In various embodiments, the portion of theinternal volume of the fitment that is occupied by the portion of thecap inserted into the fitment is at least about 50%, more preferably atleast about 65%, more preferably at least about 80%, more preferably atleast about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95%.

In one embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3B and FIG. 4, a cap 113 isadapted to close an opening in a container, such as the opening definedby the fitment 106. The cap 113 includes a neck portion 114 and a lipportion 117, with the lip portion 117 extending laterally outwardrelative to the neck portion 114. At least part of the neck portion 114is conical or frustoconical in shape, and tapered inward in a directiontoward a bottom (or lower) edge 118 thereof. The neck portion 114 of thecap 113 is arranged for insertion into a fitment 106 (or containerport), through a proximal opening thereof. The conical or frustoconicalshaped neck portion 114 is guided into the opening of a fitment 106 orcontainer port to ensure that the cap 113 to promote alignment betweenthe cap 113 and the opening, and with a gasket 121 arrangeable betweenthe cap 113 and a rim 108 of the fitment 106 (or container port). Arecess 116 is defined in a top surface of the cap 113 and extends intothe neck portion 114. At least a portion of a handle or segmenting wall115 is arranged within the recess 116. The segmenting wall 115 serves toseparate the recess into multiple segments to permit a user to insertfingers and pinch the segmenting wall 115 therewith for manipulation ofthe cap 113, such as to permit insertion or removal of the cap 113relative to a container.

FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the exploded assembly shownin FIG. 3A, with illustration of fingers of a user to manually grasp thesegmenting wall or handle 115, of which a substantial portion is presentwithin the recess 116. As illustrated, the lip 117 of the cap 113defines a depression 120 that serves as an engaging member (i.e., a lipengaging member) to receive at least a portion of a correspondingprotrusion of a gasket 121. The rim 108 of the container or fitment 106includes a depression 119 that serves as an engaging member (i.e., a rimengaging member) to receive at least a portion of another correspondingprotrusion of the gasket 121. The conical or frustoconical shaped neck114 of the cap 113 is in substantial alignment with the interior taperedwall 122 of the fitment 106, wherein the interior wall 122 guides theneck portion 114 of the cap 113 when inserted into the fitment 106 toensure proper alignment of the gasket 121 and cap 113. Presence ofengaging members in the lip and rim to secure the gasket promotespositive sealing between the gasket, rim, and lip. In a preferredembodiment, the use of clamps or other mechanical structure to retainthe cap, gasket, and fitment in engaged position is not necessary.Preferably, neither the neck portion 114 of the cap 113 nor the interiorwall 122 of the fitment are threaded. As illustrated, both the neckportion 114 of the cap 113 and the interior wall 122 of the fitment 106are aligned and threadless, to promote smooth insertion. Exteriorportions of any of the lip 117 and the fitment 106 may optionally beprovided with threads for mating with a crown-type fitting and/ordispense connector. The cap 113, gasket 121, and fitment 106 mayoptionally be further secured with a clamp or other mechanical retainingstructure.

Although the assembly shown in FIG. 3B includes a gasket 121 havingprotrusions arranged for mating with corresponding recesses 119, 120defined in the rim 108 and lip 117, respectively, it is to be understoodthat the gasket 121 may additionally or alternatively include one ormore recesses (not shown) arranged for mating with correspondingprotrusions (not shown) of the rim 108 and lip 117, respectively.Combinations of corresponding protrusions and recesses as mentionedherein represent examples of engaging members or gasket securingfeatures, as may cooperate with one another to secure a gasket inposition between a rim and lip to promote positive sealing.

Various caps are described hereinafter. It is to be understood that suchcaps may be utilized in conjunction with a gasket and a fitment (orother container opening) similar to those illustrated and described inconnection with FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cap 213 according to another embodiment, wherein ahandle consists of three segmenting walls 215 that meet in the middle ofthe recess 216 to defined three segments of the recess 216 that permit auser to grasp the walls 215 with multiple fingers. The cap 213 furtherincludes a laterally protruding lip 213 along an upper portion of thecap 213, which may define a depression (not shown) along a lower edgethereof for securing gasket (not shown). In one embodiment, the cap 213or portions thereof may also be made of flexible material.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a cap 313 according to another embodiment.The cap 313 includes a conical or frustoconical threadless neck portion314 adapted for guiding insertion of the cap into a fitment or otheropening of a container. Preferably, the neck portion 314 is tapered witha similar or substantially the same angle as at least a portion of aninner wall surface of a fitment. As shown in FIG. 6A, the conical orfrustoconical shaped neck portion 314 of the cap 313 tapers inward in adirection toward a bottom edge 318 of the cap 313, wherein the opposite(upper) end of the cap 313 forms a laterally extending lip 317. Theupper end of the cap 313 further defines a recess 316 in the cap 313.FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the cap 313 showing the recess 316,lip 317, and a depression or engagement member 320 defined on theunderside of the lip 317 to accommodate a corresponding protrusion of agasket to securely hold the gasket in place. The neck 314 of the cap 313is easily inserted into the external or proximate opening of a fitmentand guided into concentric alignment with the fitment via the conical orfrustoconical neck portion 314 and/or a tapered inner wall portion of afitment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a cap 413 according to another embodiment.The cap 413 has a laterally extending lip 417 and a frustoconicalthreadless neck portion 414 adapted for guiding insertion of the capinto a fitment or other opening of a container. The cap 413 furtherincludes a bottom surface 418. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of thecap 413 showing a depression or engagement member 420 defined on theunderside of the lip 417 to accommodate a corresponding protrusion of agasket to securely hold the gasket in place. The neck 414 of the cap 413is easily inserted into the external or proximate opening of a fitmentand guided into concentric alignment with the fitment via the conical orfrustoconical neck portion 414 and/or a tapered inner wall portion of afitment. As compared with the preceding embodiment, shown in FIGS.6A-6B, the primary distinction of the cap 413 is the lack of a recess(such as the recess 316 shown in FIGS. 6A-6B).

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a cap 513 according to another embodiment.The cap 513 includes a conical or frustoconical threadless neck portion514 adapted for guiding insertion of the cap into a fitment or otheropening of a container. Preferably, the neck portion 514 is tapered witha similar or substantially the same angle as at least a portion of aninner wall surface of a fitment. As shown in FIG. 8A, the conical orfrustoconical shaped neck portion 514 of the cap 513 tapers inward in adirection toward a bottom edge 518 of the cap 513, wherein the opposite(upper) end of the cap 513 forms a laterally extending lip 517. Theupper end of the cap 513 further defines a recess 516 in the cap 513. Ahandle 515 extends upward from a floor of the recess 516 and terminatesat a widened portion 515A at the upper terminus thereof to facilitategrasping by a user without slipping. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional viewof the cap 513 showing the recess 516, handle 515, lip 517, and adepression or engagement member 520 defined on the underside of the lip517 to accommodate a corresponding protrusion of a gasket to securelyhold the gasket in place. The neck 514 of the cap 513 is easily insertedinto the external or proximate opening of a fitment and guided intoconcentric alignment with the fitment via the conical or frustoconicalneck portion 514 and/or a tapered inner wall portion of a fitment.

Although various assemblies shown herein depict gaskets havingprotrusions arranged for mating with corresponding recesses defined in arim of a fitment and a lip of a cap, respectively, it is to beunderstood that such a gasket may additionally or alternatively includeone or more recesses (not shown) arranged for mating with correspondingprotrusions (not shown) of the rim and lip, respectively. Multipleprotrusions and/or depressions may be provided on a single surface ifdesired. Combinations of corresponding protrusions and recesses asmentioned herein represent examples of engaging members or gasketsecuring features, as may cooperate with one another to secure a gasketin position between a rim and lip to promote positive sealing.

In further embodiments, gaskets with flat upper and/or lower surfacesmay be utilized, without presence of any gasket retaining featuresassociated with a cap and/or fitment.

FIG. 9A illustrates a cap 613, a gasket 690, and a fitment 680 accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. The cap 613 includes atapered neck portion 614 and a laterally extending lip 617. The fitment680 includes a laterally-extending flange portion 681, a cylindricalsection 684, and a rim 682 adjacent to a proximal opening of the flange680 and protruding laterally outward relative to the cylindrical section684. The lip portion 617 of the cap 613 and the rim 682 of the fitment680 are devoid of gasket retaining features, and the gasket 682 includesflat upper and lower surfaces. The neck portion 614 of the cap 613 maybe inserted through an aperture 694 defined by the gasket 690 and into aproximal opening of the fitment 680. The outer diameter of the upper endof the neck portion 614 (i.e., below the lip portion 617) is preferablyclose in dimension to the inner diameter of the proximal opening of thefitment 680, to promote axial alignment between the cap 613, the gasket690, and the fitment 6880 as the neck portion 614 of the cap 613 isinserted into the fitment 680. In one embodiment, a closure retentionelement (such as the clamping apparatus 99 illustrated in FIG. 2C) maybe arranged to contact the lip portion 617 of the cap 613 and the rim682 of the fitment 680 with the gasket 690 sealing engaged between thelip portion 617 and the rim 682.

FIG. 9B illustrates a cap 613′, a gasket 690′, and a fitment 680′according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment issimilar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9A except for presence ofa compound neck having a tapered frustoconical portion 614A′ inconjunction with a cylindrical portion 614B′. It is to be understoodthat the neck portion of a cap may include various tapered and/orcylindrical segments thereof, optionally augmented by protruding surfacefeatures (not shown), which may be continuous or discontinuous innature. Referring to FIG. 9B, the cap 613′ includes a lip portion 617′that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portions 614A′,614B′. The cap 613′ terminates at a lower end 618′. The fitment 680′includes a laterally-extending flange portion 681′, a cylindricalsection 684′, and a rim 682′ adjacent to a proximal opening of theflange 680′ and protruding laterally outward relative to the cylindricalsection 684′. A flat annular gasket 690′ defining an aperture 694′ maybe placed between the rim 682′ and the lip 617′ of the cap 617′.

Various dimensional arrows are provided in FIG. 9B for illustrativepurposes. Referring to the cap 613′, the outer diameter of the upperportion of the neck portion 614A′ (immediately below the lip portion617′) is labeled as OD_(C1). The outer diameter of the distal end of thecap 613′ is labeled as OD_(C2) Since at least a portion 614A′ of the cap613 is tapered, OD_(C1)>OD_(C2) The inner diameter of the proximalopening of the fitment 680′ is labeled as ID_(F1), and the innerdiameter of the distal opening of the fitment 680′ is labeled as ID_(F2)In preferred embodiments, ID_(F1) preferably substantially equal to orjust slightly larger than (e.g., ≧90% or ≧95% of) OD_(C1). In certainembodiments, the neck portion 684′ has a constant inner diameter fromthe proximal opening to the distal opening, such that ID_(F1)=ID_(F2).In other embodiments, the fitment is tapered inward in a direction fromthe proximal opening toward the distal opening, such thatID_(F1)>ID_(F2). In such an instance, OD_(C1) is preferably slightlysmaller than or substantially equal to ID_(F1), and OD_(C2) ispreferably slightly smaller than or substantially equal to (e.g., ≦90%or ≦95% of) ID_(F2). The height of the neck portion of the cap 613′(from the lower edge of the lip 617′ to the distal end 618′) is labeledas H_(C). The height of the fitment 680′ is labeled as H_(F), and thecombined height of the fitment 680′ and the gasket 690′ is labeled asH_(F+G). In preferred embodiments, H_(C) is slightly smaller than (e.g.,within 80% of) H_(F), and H_(C) is substantially equal to (e.g., withinat least 90% of, more preferably at least 95% of, more preferably 100%of) H_(F+G). When HC is substantially equal to HF+G, the neck portionmay fill substantially the entire interior volume of the fitment 680′,and thereby dramatically reduce or eliminate the presence of a stagnantor dead volume within the fitment 680′ when joined to a container.

FIG. 11 illustrates a container 850 having a side wall 851, bottom wall852, and top wall 854 including a fitment 860 with a fitment wall 884and a rim 882. A gasket 890 is arranged over the rim 882, with a cap 813including a lip portion 817 and a tapered (e.g., frustoconical) neckportion 814 inserted through an aperture in the gasket 890 into theinterior of the cylindrical portion 884 of the fitment 860. Thecontainer 850 contains liquid 858 therein. Preferably, the distal end818 of the cap 813 is substantially flush with a flange portion or baseof the fitment 860. The distal end 818 of the cap 813 may be flat incharacter, or may be formed in any desirable shape. With the neckportion 814 of the cap 813 inserted into the fitment 860, the neckportion occupies the vast majority of the volume within the fitment 860,such that the remaining void 861 is very small in comparison to use of aflat cap (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 10). Reduction of such voidminimized potential for pockets of trapped gas and exposed volume thatmay be susceptible to receiving splashes of liquid upon processing ofliquid 858 within the container 850 and/or transport of the container850.

While the invention has been has been described herein in reference tospecific aspects, features and illustrative embodiments of theinvention, it will be appreciated that the utility of the invention isnot thus limited, but rather extends to and encompasses numerous othervariations, modifications and alternative embodiments, as will suggestthemselves to those of ordinary skill in the field of the presentinvention, based on the disclosure herein. Any of various elements orfeatures recited herein is contemplated for use with other features orelements disclosed herein, unless specified to the contrary.Correspondingly, the invention as hereinafter claimed is intended to bebroadly construed and interpreted, as including all such variations,modifications and alternative embodiments, within its spirit and scope.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A container sealing apparatus comprising: a capincluding a neck portion, a lip portion, and at least one gasketsecuring feature, wherein the neck portion is conical or frustoconicalin shape and is adapted for positioning within a threadless opening of acontainer, wherein the lip portion extends laterally outward relative tothe neck portion and is adapted to inhibit the cap from traversing theopening of the container, and a gasket arranged for securement by the atleast one gasket securing feature to seal the threadless opening of saidcontainer.
 34. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein theat least one gasket securing feature comprises a depression adapted toreceive at least a portion of a corresponding protrusion of the gasket.35. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at leastone gasket securing feature comprises a protrusion arranged forinsertion into a corresponding depression of the gasket.
 36. Thecontainer sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein the cap comprises ahandle adapted for manual grasping by a user.
 37. The container sealingapparatus of claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the handle isdisposed within a recess that is externally accessible when the cap ismated with the container, and wherein a portion of the handle protrudesupward from the recess and extends above an upper boundary of the lipportion.
 38. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein thecap defines a recess arranged to facilitate manipulation of the cap by auser, and the recess is externally accessible when the cap is mated withthe container.
 39. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, arrangedfor sealing a container comprising a fitment defining the threadlessopening of the container and including a rim adjacent to the threadlessopening, wherein the gasket is arranged for placement between the lipportion and the rim, the container sealing apparatus further comprising:a closure retention element arranged to contact the lip portion of thecap and the rim of the container fitment with the gasket sealinglyengaged between the lip portion and the rim.
 40. A container comprising:a flexible material bounding an interior volume; a fitment affixed tothe flexible material and defining a passage comprising the threadlessopening of the container, the passage being bounded by a fitment wallextending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, the fitmentcomprising a rim adjacent to the proximal opening; and the containersealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap is arranged for insertioninto the passage, the gasket is arranged for placement between the lipportion and the rim.
 41. The container of claim 40, wherein at least aportion of the fitment wall adjacent to the proximal opening is taperedinward toward the distal opening.
 42. The container of claim 41, whereinthe conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion is tapered at an anglethat is substantially equal to an angle of the at least a portion of thefitment wall that is tapered inward toward the distal opening.
 43. Thecontainer of claim 40, wherein upon insertion of the cap into thepassage, a distal end of the cap is substantially flush with a flangeportion of the fitment.
 44. The container of claim 40, wherein thecollapsible material comprises at least one flexible polymeric filmlayer.
 45. An apparatus for delivery of a fluid-containing substance,the apparatus comprising: the container of claim 44 wherein the flexiblewall bounding the interior volume comprises a flexible liner, whereinthe flexible liner is disposed within an overpack container defining aninterstitial space between the liner and the overpack container.
 46. Theapparatus for delivery of a fluid containing substance according toclaim 45, wherein the interstitial space is arranged to be pressurizedto discharge contents of the flexible liner to a process tool.
 47. Amethod of sealing a container utilizing the container sealing apparatusof claim 33, the method comprising inserting the cap into the threadlessopening of the container and compressing the gasket between the lipportion of the cap and a rim portion of a fitment of the container. 48.An apparatus for delivery of a fluid-containing substance, the apparatuscomprising: a flexible liner disposed within an overpack containerdefining an interstitial space between the liner and overpack container;and a fitment affixed to the liner, wherein the fitment defines apassage bounded by a wall extending between a proximal opening and adistal opening, wherein the fitment further comprises a rim adjacent tothe proximal opening, and wherein said wall is tapered inward in adirection from the proximal opening toward the distal opening.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 48, further comprising a cap adapted to be receivedby the fitment, wherein the cap comprises a neck portion and a lipportion that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion,wherein at least part of the neck portion is conical or frustoconical inshape.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a gasketarranged for placement in between the lip portion and the rim.
 51. Acontainer sealing apparatus arranged for sealing a container fitmentincluding a proximal opening and a rim adjacent to the proximal opening,the container sealing apparatus comprising: a cap including a neckportion and a lip portion, wherein the neck portion is conical orfrustoconical in shape and is adapted for insertion into the proximalopening of the container fitment, wherein the lip portion extendslaterally outward relative to the neck portion, wherein the cap definesa recess that is externally accessible when the cap is mated with thecontainer, and wherein the cap comprises a manually graspable handleprotruding upward from the recess and extending above an upper boundaryof the lip portion; and a gasket arranged for placement between the lipportion and the rim.
 52. A container sealing apparatus according toclaim 51, wherein the cap comprises at least one gasket securingfeature, and the gasket is arranged for securement against the cap usingthe at least one gasket securing feature.